Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-09
A DAY-DREAM.
trnc osn,lomsn's sasasine.l
ans, tender HIGHT

only held claim 10 their tolerance on
that score il is 90 easy to laugh when
Won are young, and what more provoca-
tive OF mirth, while the petrifying
waters fall harmlessly from your active
limbs, than the crystallized results on
those upon whom time and the waters
have worked their will? We two had
long life Of friendship to look back
upon, and. though separations had come
OF nece ssity, there had been none so
violent OF 20 lengthy that TO come to-
pethcr again had left scar.
One Of us had been married-had
known the height of happiness and the
depth of sorrow had known one year
of that peaceful possessive happiness
that can only find realization in welded
bliss and had then followed wife and
child 10 the grave.
The other bad seen his happiness
afar of, uusttainable, aud had fought
through the mystery OF pain to some
shadow peace which had seemed the
conservation of life.
But though our experience had been
thus different, we had both learned to
wait in patience, looking for the dawn
of another day, which shall set seal to
that which we have suffered here O
day on which hope deferred and hope
cut OFF shall alike attain the consumma-
ton of which this life holds the prom
Use. Perhaps viewed from those peace
full far-off heights, there will not seem
such n wide difference between those
who have known the shelter OF memo
rvs lowering wings and those to whom
no such fair haven has been granted.
Anyway, to both Of us now the calm,
wide plain of middle life stretched be-
tween us and the troubled storms OF
our youth, and If in that desert march
we had lost much, we were none the
less grateful for that which remained.
The sun rose fairly still and set In the
same golden clouds, though no loved
ewes watched its beauties with us.
Mountain and valley, wood and stream,
still kept their hold on our hearts. as IN
the days when we were young and dream
ed impossible dreams, inspired by their
presence. We were little more care
full of ourselves to-day. We openly
reioiced that the sun shone in such
blue. unclouded sky, and that no
treacherous east wind lay iii wait for
us. And when we found this to be the
case. and realized how hot and dusty
the three mile walk WAS which led from
the village up to this old castle, no
false pride had prevented our shelter
ing our heads. which were growing very
gray. under the one large white cotton
umbrella, which much wandering
in sunny France had taught me
not to despise. II was L who
provided the umbrella; geo.
logical hammer, a tin for flowers, and a
book prevented my friend from taking
thought for sun or storm. Talk Of the
enthusiasm of youth, l believe it is
nothing to the enthusiasm of elder age.
1t is a growing passion, and duly en-
couraged, will increase till death
Gains it.
]. who had never possessed a great
stock, had long used up all that had
been mine. / had seen all there was to
be seen, or. at least, all that seemed to
me worth seeing. long before my COM
panion had satisfied himself.
His enthusiasm led him where |, in
my cooler judgment, did not care to
follow him.
| saw him with the custodian OF this
mighty ruin-a man who had grown
gray in telling its histcriesand legends
climbing the narrow stair that led to
the fag-tower. Round the framework
of the windows ivy grew thickly,
hiding, as well as it could, the rents OF
time. / was content to rest below,
though even here the magic that at
taches TO another age haunted me.
These decayiDg walls had once frown-
ed defiance on all arounds-had once
proved q defence in times of sore dis
tress TO the dwellers in that smiling
valley, who now went and came with
never fear. The reign OF law had
conquered that of force. and its sym
lols, these giant rims. were falling to
decay in the calm that had succeeded.
IT stirred even my calm blood to
think Of all the tragedies OF which this
spot where ] stood bad been the thea
ire. while the great flag fioated from
The tower overhead, where to-day
stirred softly in the summer air long
sprsy Of delicate wild roses
/ was scarcely tired OF my own
THOUGHTS, which were almost dreams,
when my companion returned, and to.
petIer, under the shelter OF the old
walls on the soft grass that grew sc
tbickly, we seated ourselves to eat ON
sandwiches. We enjoyed them there
was q flavor TO both of us in the simple
repast of many bygone day when vi
had been bows at school and had shared
the like, and with scarcely more en-
ioyment or better appetite than We Eel
we had honestly earned to-day.
The old custodian's histories OF TIT
castle beeuiled the meal. Such wa
our custom often, for my friend wa
one who would always seek to learn al
that might be learned, while L wa
willing 10 wait and hear from HIM
later on, such facts as he had CLEANED
And to day was no exception. AS VI
sat in our sheltered corner listened :.
all that history assigned to this world
removed spot. Through the still sum
mer guI shine soldiers crossed and re
crossed the Enclosure where We sat
lances cleaned, armor shone, rehecte'
in the sunset glow men passed by wit
the cross upon their coats OF mau
stately fliz beihan warriors, cavalier'
and Puritaps-they had all write
their line across the history of the oil
castle.
A queen had spent the N ght here
one brief night, on journey which 10
from throne to a scaffold. Here
discrowned, hunted man had sougt
shelter on his way northward TO thos
whose love he could trust. Faith an
heachery. war and peace. here the
had ali alike found an abiding place
What mattered it that it was past
FaDcy's colors are undyiug here sui
tie blendines OF light and shade are NJ
alone dependent on the skill OF II
painier, they are as magic in the eye
The b. holder. Her voice will linger G
in the cars of her worshippers long aft
stern reality is hushed in death. Blake
great words will always find an echo
some hearts. You watch the suns
night after night, and see somethir
round and yellow like golden guint
fell into the sea. / watch il also, aud
see Heaven opened and thousands